Ayazini Village & Ruins

Ayazini Village & Ruins

Ayazini Village is a historic settlement that traces its origins back to the Phrygian era. The region boasts an array of impressive architectural achievements, including family and single-person rock-cut tombs from the Roman and Byzantine periods, as well as Byzantine-era churches that showcase intricate carvings.

Visitors to the area can marvel at a range of well-preserved architectural marvels, including standing lion sculptures found in one of the grave chambers, as well as columns from another tomb chamber. Of particular note is the Avdalaz Castle, which features an entire church that has been carved out of rock, complete with exquisite exterior and interior architecture. However, caution should be exercised when exploring the various beautifully sculpted cisterns dotted throughout the city.

Ayazini Village & Ruins Ayazini, known as the heart of Phrygia, hosts tourism festivals every year. With plans for the development of a new tourist attraction called the "Ayazini Village Tourist Reception Centre," the village is expected to become a major destination for visitors.

One of the unique features of the area is the Ayazini Rock Houses, which were initially carved into the tuff rock formations during the Early Byzantine Period. Some of these houses consist of single rooms, while others are carved side by side or separately. Access to some of the houses is via steps, while others can only be reached through tunnel-like passages inside the homes.

The Ayazini Rock Tombs are another remarkable feature of the region. These family and single-person rock-cut tombs date back to the Roman and Byzantine periods, with some of them being double floors. The proximity of the cemetery of Ayazini Town to the rock tombs suggests that people preferred this area for burial purposes.

The entrance to the grave chambers is decorated with a relief sculpture of the Medusa head. After passing through the entrance, visitors will find an ante-chamber that leads to arched spaces containing cist graves. These graves are adorned with various decorations such as lion sculptures and reliefs depicting couples.

The Ayazini church, also known as Ayazini kilisesi, is a remarkable stone-carved church built into the steep tuff rock face of Ayazini Town. It can be seen upon entering the town, featuring an exterior facade with an apse and dome carved out of the rock face. The church is believed to have been constructed around 1000 AD, with adjoining chambers also cut from stone.